Jun 18, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) is hit by a pitch during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
(Bronx, NY) – Yankee fans were forced to hold their collective breath last night, and it wasn’t just for a tight score. As the team held off a late-game rally by the Orioles, the main storyline was Aaron Judge’s early exit in the fourth inning.
The Captain was hit by a pitch just above his left wrist by O’s pitcher Albert Suarez in the third inning. Judge was able to make his way to first, and around all the bases for that matter, scoring a run and playing defense in the top of the fourth before being relieved by Trent Grisham.
After a trip to New York Presbyterian, it was announced that both the X-rays and CT scan came back negative.
Judge was grateful for the positive news, saying it was “a big relief.” He also reflected on how much worse it could have been, adding “I’ve been hit there before, a couple years ago and broke my wrist. Any time you get hit 94 up and in, especially in the hand, you never know. There’s some swelling, but I think I’m good.”
Baltimore added some fuel to the fire later in the game as Gleyber Torres was also hit by a pitch, this time by reliever Keegan Akin.
Alex Verdugo was just one of many Yankees who did not take well to the errant pitching. “There were several pitches a little too close to guys hands… I wouldn’t expect anything to roll over, but there prob will be a little more edge. Our captain got hit. We don’t take what happened lightly. We’re none too pleased about it.”
While the headline tonight should be the return of Ace Gerrit Cole, prepare for the Bombers to come out swinging for their captain.
